Navy performed 'miracle': Rajnath Singh on its operations to assist merchant ships in strategic sea lanes

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has praised the Indian Navy's operations in foreign waters, highlighting its ability to assist merchant ships threatened by pirates. He also mentioned the government's readiness to consider the Navy's proposal for a second aircraft carrier, the IAC-II, with a displacement of 45,000 tonnes and estimated cost of around Rs 40,000 crore. Singh emphasized the importance of India becoming self-reliant in the defence sector and set a target of increasing defence exports to Rs 50,000 crore in the next five-six years.